IBSA eConnection: Happy New Year!, a prayer for 2013, planning ahead, more

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year from IBSA!

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

A prayer for the new year - 2013

Phil Miglioratti, IBSA Prayer Ministries consultant, offers a prayer for Illinois Baptists as they begin the new year. He includes suggestions of how to facilitate and expand this prayer for a congregation's worship service or a small group gathering. May God bless you and your family in 2013. Read the prayer at IBSA.org.

10 year-end (or January) church maintenance tips

With the winter season upon us, and a new year beginning, ChurchLeaders.com has compiled a list of several useful year-end maintenance tips to assist you with the stewarding of your ministry facilities. Get 10 practical tips your church can use at ChurchLeaders.com.

Looking to 2013: What should the church expect?

What trends should the church expect to help define the cultural climate of 2013? More specifically, what assumptions do people have about organizations right now? The Ford consumer environment report has a lot of commonalities with current church research. Sam Rainer provides a few general, qualitative assumptions for church leaders to consider for the new year at ThomRainer.com.

To get ahead, you have to plan ahead

According to IBSA's Jerry Day, "Planning ahead does not come easily. Especially as a local church pastor, there were always needs that seemed more pressing. People in the churches and association I served did not typically urge me to plan, either. They seldom viewed planning as crucial as they faced urgent priorities too." Learn how he discovered the value of planning and it's biblical roots at IBSA.org.

Super Saturday Seminars return next month!

A Churches of Strength Super Saturday Seminar is coming to Lincoln Avenue Baptist in Jacksonville February 23. Each event begins with a "free" continental breakfast from 8 to 8:30 a.m., followed by two informative and inspirational breakout sessions led by various members of your IBSA Leadership Teams. Learn more and the 2013 Super Saturday dates and locations at IBSA.org.

8 easy ways to be missional everyday

Missional is not an event we tack onto our already busy lives. It is our life. Mission should be the way we live, not something we add onto life. We can be missional in everyday ways without overloading our schedules. Learn eight ways you can be missional at OutreachMagazine.com.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with relevant, useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.